Loader Hydraulic Hose Replacement

Magyar · Jan 4, 2015

I have a JD 970 with a 440 Front End Loader. The hydraulic hoses are starting to show signs of giving, like spraying hydraulic fluid all over. I have about enough experience to know that wrapping the hose with electrical or duct tape will not do it. I use to be an AMH (hydraulic repairmen) in the Navy. I plan to replace all the hydraulic hoses at once. The tractor is 15+ years old, and I figure it's time. Is it better to purchase the hoses from the local JD dealer, or to have the hoses made up at the local hydraulic shop. This just happened, so I have not checked to see if these hoses are available "ready made" from a local JD Dealer.

Thanks for any suggestions, thoughts, or comments.
Magyar

BAP · Jan 4, 2015

Most likely, it will be cheaper to have them made up at a shop than to buy the JD ones. Just make sure that they are made up from the same strength hose (PSI and # of wires). Most good auto and truck part stores like NAPA and others do hydraulic hoses. Most tractor dealers can make them too.

deerseeker001 · Jan 4, 2015

I buy my at the dealer they know what you need wire size etc.

Poopdeck Pappy · Jan 4, 2015

BAP said:
Most likely, it will be cheaper to have them made up at a shop than to buy the JD ones. Just make sure that they are made up from the same strength hose (PSI and # of wires). Most good auto and truck part stores like NAPA and others do hydraulic hoses. Most tractor dealers can make them too.

I learned a good lesson when I replaced the hydraulic hoses on my box blade's hydraulic cylinder. The lesson is that my local NAPA store only uses REALLY high PSI rated hose and, as a result, it is REALLY expensive. About 3 times more than the pre-made hoses you can buy at Tractor Supply. Clearly, they are better quality but the cost was out of sight.

woodchipper · Jan 4, 2015

If you are new at replacing hoses (for your own puposes) and don't know about your tractor, then it would not hurt to pay a visit to the local JD parts clerk.
Get the info, and quotes, then see at your local hydraulic shop. price could be better either way.

welcome to the forum, and Happy Tractoring!

newbury · Jan 4, 2015

In northern Virginia we've Colliflower, which looks like a 1 person franchise shop. I've had to go there 4 times, only once did I have to wait a few minutes for the guy to finish with another customer. It's quicker than McDonalds. In Mississippi I've used a local NAPA store which was several bucks more, but still reasonable.

gwdixon · Jan 4, 2015

My L48 had the two main FEL boom lines leaking at the fitting at 1200 hours. I figured that if the OEM hoses failed then it was only a matter of time before the same hoses would need to be replaced again.

So I went to the local NAPA to have two new ones made up. They are about 4' long each. The total bill was $180 for the two hoses. High quality...yes, and high cost to match. But I'd do it again.

TomSeller · Jan 4, 2015

Definitely ask the price. I was in a hurry once, I was close to a hydraulic shop and went in and ordered a new hose. Ouch, it was way more expensive than what I was used to.

Billrog · Jan 4, 2015

I'm not so sure it's necessary to replace all the hydraulic lines they can look beat up and last a long time. Double steel braid wire and take the old H line with you and have them make it up at any dealer or Napa who ever is the most reasonable. Often you pay for the hose and ftings. and they have no charge for putting it together.

s219 · Jan 4, 2015

I'd check the TBN sponsor discounthydraulichose.com -- they can custom make any length/fitting/type you want. They have a real good web site for spec'ing custom hoses and fittings, and it's easy to put in an order. Last set I ordered shipped in one day, and the price was really fair.